FuelCell Energy renews service agreements for DFC power plants

The total value of the service agreements is approximately $15 million. Three different fuel cell markets are represented by these customers including education, municipal wastewater treatment, and food processing.

DFC power plants electrochemically convert a fuel source into electricity and heat in a highly efficient process that emits virtually no pollutants due to the absence of combustion. DFC power plants are fuel flexible, capable of operating on natural gas or renewable biogas. Efficiency of up to 90 percent can be achieved when the DFC plant is configured for combined heat and power (CHP).

"A fundamental cornerstone of our business model is keeping our customers satisfied, which generates growth in our Services business," said Chip Bottone, president and chief executive officer, FuelCell Energy. "By having FuelCell Energy responsible for the operation and maintenance of the power plants, our customers can concentrate on their core competencies."

"Existing customers extending service agreements is a strong testament to the favorable economic... FuelCell Energy renews service agreements for DFC power plants

Canadian Solar powers up biggest solar park in Hesse

More than 40,000 Canadian Solar modules were installed on an area spanning 153,000 square meters within the period of a few weeks. The project contractor was Frankfurter Entsorgungs- und Service GmbH (FES). Onsite construction was carried out by the Sinusstrom GmbH. The solar park is operated by the RMS Rhein-Main Solarpark GmbH, a joint subsidiary of the Stadtwerke Dreieich and the FES. The project allocated 25 percent of the modules for use as a public participation solar park, administered by the Solar Initiative Marburg eV.

"With a solar project of this size the smooth implementation and installation of high performance quality modules is essential. Having chosen the right partners, we accomplished installation and grid connection by the end of 2011," said FES project manager Florian Benten.

Dr Shawn Qu, chairman and chief executive officer of Canadian Solar, said: “We are pleased that RMS Rhein-Main Solarpark GmbH and Sinusstrom have chosen solar modules by Canadian Solar... Canadian Solar powers up biggest solar park in Hesse

AEG PS expands solar portfolio with new central inverter Protect PV630

With 630kW performance, the new inverter is the next step in AEG PS‘s offering of high-end utility-class inverters. The launch follows on from the success of Protect PV.250 and PV.500 (currently with more than 860 installations around the world).

All former series are available as different indoor- and outdoor versions for connection to the medium voltage grid. The new Protect PV 630 is immediately available in indoor version, the outdoor solution will be introduced shortly to the market, said AEG PS.

Designed for global use, PV.630 has received certifications and is compliant with the national grid regulations of several countries. Protect PV.630 is also available as a turnkey container solution, TKS-C 1250, equipped with 2 inverters, transformer and switchgear....
AEG PS expands solar portfolio with new central inverter Protect PV630

Gamesa enters Nicaraguan market, to install 44MW turnkey wind farm

Gamesa will install 22 of its G90 wind turbines, each with capacity of 2MW, which it will manufacture in Spain and the United States during 2012. The wind farm, in the town of Rivas, is on the shore of Lake Nicaragua in south-western Nicaragua.

Pursuant to the agreement, Gamesa will also develop all necessary infrastructures for the project's construction and operation, including an electricity substation, a high-tension line and the site's connection to the power grid. Furthermore, it will carry out operation and maintenance (O&M) services at the wind farm for a period of 10 years.

Eolo de Nicaragua is owned by Globeleq Mesoamerica Energy (Wind) Limited, a subsidiary of Globeleq Generation Limited and Mesoamerica Power Ltd.

For the second time, Gamesa will work with Globeleq, after completing...Gamesa enters Nicaraguan market, to install 44MW turnkey wind farm

ACCIONA, Aveng to build Gouda Wind Park and Sishen Solar PV plant in South Africa

The Department of Energy of South Africa selected two projects presented by ACCIONA and Aveng in the second round of the Independent Power Producers Renewable Bid (IPP REBID). The installations are a 135.2MW wind park (138MW nominal capacity) and a 74MW photovoltaic solar plant (94MWp), which will be built between 2013 and 2014.

The two facilities will be ACCIONA's first investments in South Africa, a country that has pledged to diversify its energy mix with renewable sources while seeking to fulfill the country's growing demand for power.

South Africa plans to award 3,725MW in clean energy projects by the end of 2013, as part of a long-term strategy to incorporate 17,000MW of new renewable energy capacity by 2030.....
ACCIONA, Aveng to build Gouda Wind Park and Sishen Solar PV plant in South Africa

RMT initiates major erection at First Wind's Kawailoa Wind Farm

"First Wind is pleased to again be working with RMT and to continue our commitment to building first-class renewable energy facilities in Hawaii. We appreciate the cooperation and support of the Hawaiian regulatory officials, local government, land owners, neighbors, and our construction team in safely building Hawaii's largest renewable energy facility to date," said Michael Alvarez, president and CFO of First Wind.

RMT broke ground at Kawailoa in 2011, and recently mobilized construction crews to commence heavy civil construction and turbine erection. The company is providing engineering, procurement, and construction of the civil and electrical infrastructure, including the installation of 30 Siemens 2.3-MW wind turbines.

The civil infrastructure includes roads, crane paths and pads, and turbine foundations. The electrical infrastructure includes a 23-kV collection system, two 23kV/46kV substations, and a 46-kV transmission line that will interconnect to the Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO) system....
RMT initiates major erection at First Wind's Kawailoa Wind Farm

Entergy secures 20-year renewal for Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station

The approval means the NRC has concluded there is no safety or environmental issue that precludes renewal of the plant's license to operate for an additional 20 years.

Entergy Nuclear filed Pilgrim's license renewal application on January 25, 2006, making this the longest license review on record. The plant's original 40-year license was scheduled to expire on June 8, 2012. Pilgrim's renewed license enables the plant to operate until 2032.

John Herron, president, CEO and chief nuclear officer of Entergy Nuclear, said: "The NRC conducted extremely thorough safety and environmental reviews of Pilgrim's application for license renewal and concluded the station can safely operate another 20 years. The decision ensures Pilgrim's generation of safe, clean, reliable and low-cost energy will continue to benefit the... Entergy secures 20-year renewal for Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station

Alstom bags three major hydro projects in Canada

For the first two projects, Alstom will supply new runners for units C-1 and C-3 at the Beauharnois Generating Station. The third contract is for the Pointe du Bois Spillway Replacement Project.
Alstom’s North American Hydro headquarters and manufacturing facility in Sorel-Tracy, QC, will design, produce and deliver one new 47MW Francis turbine runner for unit C-1 of Hydro-Québec’sBeauharnois Generating Station.

Hydro-Québec has also exercised the option for five additional upgraded propeller runners including part refurbishment for unit C-3, which falls within the framework of an original contract the Quebec utility awarded Alstom in 2010.

The individual retrofit projects will increase electricity output by replacing old runners with new, more efficient designs that produce more electricity. The scheduled delivery date for unit C-1 is November 2013 and the first runner for unit C-3 under the option taken up by....Alstom bags three major hydro projects in Canada

Vestas, Methanex collaborate on wind development globally

The agreement between Vestas and Methanex defines the framework for further cooperation between both companies to establish a baseline for the development of future wind projects in/or around Methanex´s global production facilities; to support and advise Methanex in the development of new wind projects around the world; and to help build a robust renewable energy regulation in the Magallanes Region - contributing to the diversification of its energy mix.

Two years ago, Methanex used Vestas technology to develop the Cabo Negro Wind Power Plant in Magallanes, Chile, in order to increase their energy security and ensure more sustainable operations through the use of clean energy. Methanex’s decision....Vestas, Methanex collaborate on wind development globally

Enel Green Power launches Corinth wind farm and Kourtesi II PV plant in Greece

The Corinth wind farm spreads across the areas of Chlogos and Profitis Elias, near the city of Corinth in the north-east of the Peloponnese. The wind farm is composed of 32 wind turbines of 0.85MW each for a total installed capacity exceeding 27MW, and is expected to produce 57 million kWh of electricity annually.

The second facility, that has just entered service, is the photovoltaic plant named Kourtesi II, located in the Ilia region. The plant has an installed capacity of 4.8MW and is expected to generate approximately 6.15 million kWh annually.

The clean energy produced by both plants will reduce CO2 emissions into the atmosphere by nearly 70,000 tons per year....
Enel Green Power launches Corinth wind farm and Kourtesi II PV plant in Greece